Abstract:
Objective: To elicit the pharmacodynamic response of the drug, Cuscuta reflexa (dodder) on
healthy human volunteers, in non-toxic doses.
Methodology: Drug Cuscuta reflexa was proved through a double-blind method. The homoeopathic
preparation of the drug was proved in three potencies (6C, 30C and 200C) on 13 volunteers who
were selected and declared apparently healthy during their pre-trial medical examination by
specialists and through their routine pathological investigations. The volunteers consumed 56
doses (four doses per day for fourteen days) of each potency (6C, 30C and 200C) in three stages
for a varying period. The symptoms generated during the trial period were noted by the volunteers
and elaborated and cross-examined by the Proving Master. The data obtained from the Drug
Proving Center was compiled at drug proving-cum-data processing cell at Central Council for
Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) headquarters after de-coding the drug.
Observation: Out of the 9 volunteers who were on actual drug trial, 8 manifested symptoms. The
drug was able to produce symptoms in each potency. Only one symptom appeared in more than
one prover.
Conclusion: Pharmacodynamic responses elicited during the proving trial will add to the literature
available on the drug and benefit the research scholars and clinicians. This also needs verification
through clinical trials.
